What is white liquor, the caustic chemical involved in the Longview paper mill disaster?
White liquor, a superheated chemical mixture used to break down wood into paper pulp, is at the center of the deadly tank implosion at the Nippon Dynawave paper mill in Longview, WA.
The facility employs a common process for making paper known as kraft or kraft pulping. In kraft pulping, wood chips are processed under high pressure and heat (anywhere from 300 to 330 degrees Fahrenheit) while being exposed to extremely caustic chemicals that cause the wood to break down into pulp.
White liquor is one of the three main chemical solutions used in this paper-making process. It’s a highly alkaline solution, similar to bleach, that will cause severe chemical burns if it comes into contact with skin.
White liquor is arguably the strongest and most important substance in kraft pulping. It’s the first compound that the wood is exposed to, and it quickly breaks down the wood chips into a thick pulp. Almost half of the wood completely dissolves into the liquid.
Ultimately this compound is extremely dangerous. The chemical solution is so hot and caustic that it will almost immediately cause second and third-degree burns upon contact with skin. Vapors released by white liquor are also flammable, and can cause damage to the eyes, lungs and throat if inhaled.
What is white liquor, the caustic chemical involved in the Longview paper mill disaster? | kgw.com